The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-08-13
ate's implements.
by ". E. HOLAHAN.

a long, brilliant ballroom, heavily per
fumed, brilliantly lighted and well filled.
Mrs. Travers' balls were not q thing Il
be missed without regret, so society goer.
said, and eagerly accepted their invitation.
when lucky enough to receive them.
Ihe hidden music of waltz came dream
lily forth-so sad and sweet rs to be almost
painful.
Partners were eagerly claimed, and soor
the dancers were floating down the polished
floor.
One couple in particular were consplcu
Gus by the ease and grace of their move.
ments-a tall, handsome man of the blonde
type, and lady who would have been
peeressly fair even in beggar's raiment.
Tonight, in the glow of pleasant excite
ment and social triumph, she was superb
as some young duchess. Yet, from the
hash OF her sapphire eyes, and the droop of
her carmine lips-proud to fault almost
a touch of weary scoln might have been
read had any one there been keen or calm
enough to analyze it.
She was beautiful, fascinating, witty.
She was Miss Aura Mclean, heiress of
old Jasper McLean's millions, so thew
sought and surrounded her with homage
that in her proud heart she despised.
The only man in the world for whose
homage she gave an iota, was leaning
against distant window recess, in deem
conversation with the pretty daughter of
his hostess.
Well, what could it matter to Aura Me-
Lean?
lie was free-she had set him so long
ago-before she became the enviable heir
ess of her uncle.
Just once, when the evening was wear
ing to its close, she had allowed her beam
tliul eyes to meet his in long look.
In his was pain, passion, pleading, God
knows what!-in hers only a proud con.
tempt. Blanche Travers Intercepted the
look.
IN MS was pain, passion, pleading, God
knows what!-in hers only proud con-
tempt. Blanche Travers intercepted the
look.
Ihey will make beautiful couple. will
they not?' she said, with nod of detini-
ton. Miss Mclean is so beautiful, and
Carl Pierce is absurdly DEVOTED. Then he
is very handsome also.'
us he? asked her companion in cold
mechanical tones. as if it were not evident
to all the world.
Don't you think so, Mr.. Vance? But
then, gentlemen always hate to acknowl-
edge each other handsome. But her uncle
- Ugh! he's an old bear! They say he
was fairly wild until she accepted Carl; re-
fused to even give her home in case she
should not marry his favorite. Fancy such
coercion in matter of that kind
They are engaged, then?"
"oh' dear, yes That is an open secret.
An here comes my partner. So sorry YOU
don't waltz, Mr.. Vance; It's such an anti
dote for melancholy madness. 3,
She went off on her partners arm. a
pretty, bright thing. all unconscious of the
pain she had left behind in Wood Vance,s
madly repressed heart. Everything reeled
around him.
Inc dancers became little black specks.
and the ballroom, touched by memory's
magic wand, changed to beautiful wooded
field through which ran the clearest pebbly
brook that ever flowed.
There stood himself, Younger by several
years, and before him, woman. scarce
more than girl, calm, proud, disdainful.
Your jealousy is yrannical-unpardon-
lble," she said coldly. 81 will bear it no
onger. can bear it no longer. can
have neither friends nor pleasures, and
really, Mr. Vance, the engagement is be-
ginning to gall. You make the fetters too
You want to be free to marry Lane
when he asks you," he said, in voice of
repressed passion, and with bitter sneer
that had been madly repented since.
She took the ring from her slim finger,
ana fiinging it at his feet, walked away
with:
~ iN"ot WIN NC lOhi SldNt no lOiseis
Mr.. Vance. Go your way, and if you are
let me go mine without ever see
irg your face again. ] would rather die
than be your wife"
That was all past. The same voice woke
him from his reverie now-the same voice
grown colder, prouder if possible.
She was sitting directly beside him, yet
he knew ii was all unintentional.
Once she had been all the world to him.
He had kissed her beautiful face and
hands-and tyrannized over her in his jeal-
ous love
Now If he should even dare to touch the
hem of her satin dress, she would stab him
with the scon in her glorious eyes.
He turned 10 move away unseen; but his
hostess stayed him.
~